Picking your battles

I have a friend who was searching for something like the Blackhawk Tatang.
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( the same friend I asked you guys to help me find a knife for)
I showed him a comparison video between that and a BK9, the BK9 pretty much trounced the tatang in every category but he still thought the tatang is better because it's more stabby.
I'm a utilitarian/bushcraft kind of guy and there's probably nothing I can say to convince him otherwise. *shrug* If he likes it then he should go for it.
I'm just glad he's moving up in steel quality; he owns quite a few Gerbers.
 
bladeboss said:
About an hour ago I was helping a friend put on a steering wheel cover at an auto parts store. (I ran into him there and was being a nice guy I wasn't with him)
He's one of those people that you talk to, but don't spend time with because you're not sure if you like them. :D
As were walking to his car he spotted my Delica clipped to my pocket. He poked it with the steering wheel cover and said:
"I got a knife that would make that thing look like a freaking toy."
Keep in mind this guy is really cocky, and I know him well enough to know it wouldn't be something high end.
Now usually this is where I take it out and start explaining the features and the price etc., but I chose to just say "yeah ok" and change the subject.
It wouldn't have gotten me anywhere to start an argument.
You guys been here before?
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I say "well done" Bladeboss. The best way to win a pointless argument with an idiot/jerk is not to participate in a pointless argument with an idiot/jerk (I consider the guy an idiot/jerk for saying "I got a knife that would make that thing look like a freaking toy". Heck, you were offering to help him and he tries to insult your knife).

When I was a younger man I felt the need to correct anyone around me who said anything I felt was wrong or stupid. And I would argue any point of disagreement with unrelenting tenacity. But as I grew older I realized what a waste of time it was, and that I was being kind of a jerk by always correcting people. I came to the conclusion that as long as no ones safety was at risk by them being wrong or stupid, that it was in my own best interests not to challenge what they said. After all, what do I care if someone wants to be an idiot. And besides, I'm certainly not going to feel insulted by someone's stupid comment.

As far as your "friend" is concerned, and not being sure if you like him, he sounds like an idiot to me (and a jerk). If someone felt the need to insult my choice of knives in some cocky attempt to make himself seem superior, I certainly wouldn't want to be their friend, and I wouldn't spend any time with him.
 
bladeboss said:
"I got a knife that would make that thing look like a freaking toy."
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Enthusiasts in any hobby have to face this, best not to try to explain all of it.

But then everything in MY EDC rotation makes MY Delica look like a toy. :D
 
bdmicarta said:
Enthusiasts in any hobby have to face this, best not to try to explain all of it.

But then everything in MY EDC rotation makes MY Delica look like a toy. :D
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I always tell myself that. I know that to me, my idea of a nice car is a 60s Plymouth with a big-block and a choppy idle.
But to some people it is a Honda Civic and a wing and NOS. :D
 
bladeboss said:
I always tell myself that. I know that to me, my idea of a nice car is a 60s Plymouth with a big-block and a choppy idle.
But to some people it is a Honda Civic and a wing and NOS. :D
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I can see the appeal of both. Not to get off topic, but my idea of perfection is a nice big V8 truck and a zippy little sportster or a cruiser bike to offset it.
 
When arguing with fools, don't answer their foolish arguments, or you will become as foolish as they are. When arguing with fools, be sure to answer their foolish arguments, or they will become wise in their own estimation.

Proverbs 26:4-5
 
I avoid putting down other people's knives. I have no reason to, and besides, I would have no room to talk. I still carry/use the same flip-phone I bought in 2006. This, in turn, is only the second cell phone I've ever owned (first one in 2001). I've never even handled an iPhone. Someone could easily criticize me for that (and some have). I don't have a blu-ray player, nor do I understand a lot about technology.

Those who make fun of or criticize others for what they have/don't have need to remember that someone is always more knowledgeable or better than you are at SOMething. I let others enjoy whatever they have, even if it's a knife I might think is a POS in my mind. As long as they're happy and it serves their purposes for them, and they aren't hurting anyone or themselves with it.

Jim
 
My opinion, which isn't worth much but is mine :)

Dump the friend, guaranteed he will be first to ask for help, last to help.

Other than that yeah, sometimes people just don't get it. Sadly when it comes to blades (or in my case blades, bows and guns) people love to believe they are mostest awesomest and rarely have a clue. I had friends who actually spent good money and made a solid decision buying a becker or two...if course they don't know how to use it, sharpen it or even hold it but...lol
 
Props to the OP. I would have done the same thing.

Hell, I'd be happy to see more Gerbers in those situations. People always bust out their Tac Forces around me haha.
 
bladeboss said:
About an hour ago I was helping a friend put on a steering wheel cover at an auto parts store. (I ran into him there and was being a nice guy I wasn't with him)
He's one of those people that you talk to, but don't spend time with because you're not sure if you like them. :D
As were walking to his car he spotted my Delica clipped to my pocket. He poked it with the steering wheel cover and said:
"I got a knife that would make that thing look like a freaking toy."
Keep in mind this guy is really cocky, and I know him well enough to know it wouldn't be something high end.
Now usually this is where I take it out and start explaining the features and the price etc., but I chose to just say "yeah ok" and change the subject.
It wouldn't have gotten me anywhere to start an argument.
You guys been here before?
Click to expand...

Sounds to me like he was just joking around and you took it too serious.

My friends and I have said much worse things about each other and at the end of the day it's all just friendly jokes. I used to always criticize my friends knives and laugh at them and call them a rookie for carrying sh*tty knives.
 
There is good-natured ribbing among friends, but there are also some insecure people who must always try to "one-up" everyone else, at everything, all the time. There are differences between the two types of people. In my experience, the latter type tend to be unreliable, untrustworthy, and/or simply immature, and a dreadful bore to be around. Which is why, if someone proves to be of that sort, I don't associate with them.

Not saying that's the case with the guy in the OP's example, just my experiences with a few certain individuals over the years.

Jim
 
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For Christmas one year my sister-in-law gave her Father and I one of those carbide sharpening tools with the suction cup bottom so you can stick it to your table. Later in the evening I was trying to explain to my father-in-law how using such a sharpener does more harm than good, to no avail. He was determined it made his knife sharp enough for him... I just gave up.

This past weekend I was at their house again and took a look at their kitchen knives. They recently brought them to a local guy to have them sharpened. They looked like they were sharpened by a cross eyed speed freak with a Dewalt hand grinder. They were so bad I didn't know if I should laugh, cry, or curl up in the fetal position and call for mommy... Rounded tips, uneven grinds, grind marks on the ricassos. It was a real horror show.

BTW, I have offered to sharpen their knives for them several times. Apparently I was good enough to marry their daughter but not sharpen their knives. :confused:
 
"He's one of those people that you talk to, but don't spend time with because you're not sure if you like them."

Could be you've made your decision.
 
Lee48 said:
"He's one of those people that you talk to, but don't spend time with because you're not sure if you like them."

Could be you've made your decision.
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Haha I think I have. A long time ago.
It's just that I see him so much it's easier to have him think I like him to avoid awkwardness.
He lives within 5 miles of me too.
 
gazz98 said:
I always say "Oh yeah, what ya got?" . I love to look at Frost cutlery bowie knives.

I hope you put the steering wheel cover on inside out.
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Awesome! And you know, that's probably exactly what he had stashed up in his closet....
 
Well, I remember how one new user here a while ago asked for opinions about some Chinese made skinning knife from Gerber that was design-wise similar to a push - dagger, which was likely a selling point for him. So I kind of questioned the design and the make, and he has just lashed out at me. I was taken aback initially, but then took it as a good lesson: even when people ask for opinions, it does not necessarily mean they want to hear any negative opinions.
I guess even less they would expect to hear anything negative when they share something that they are proud of (for whatever wrong reason). So if you want to stay on somewhat positive or neutral terms with them, just look at it and say something nice, while possibly trying not to deviate from the truth too much. I mean you can always say something like: "the blade is so shiny - the steel must be very stainless" or "it is very big and hefty knife, should be really nice for chopping something"...
So even if you know for the fact that they are wrong and the piece is just crap, you do not have to prove it or to look at this as an opportunity to show off. Stay nice, it does not cost you a thing!
 
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